Hebrew is considered to be the Holy Tongue, since it is the language that God used to speak the world into existence, and to speak the words of the Torah(Hebrew) instruction, guidance; specifically, the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Often translated "law" or "Pentateuch" to Moses on Mount Sinai. However, the majority of people attending Beth Immanuel don't know Hebrew. For this reason we recite the prayers in English, and all Hebrew has an English translation. We encourage people to learn Hebrew to increase their understanding of the Scriptures, and to pass this understanding along to the next generation.
The Cantor repeats of the English "Standing Prayer" (Amidah(Hebrew) literally, "standing"; a central and very ancient prayer in traditional Jewish liturgy) in Hebrew so that those who cannot read or speak Hebrew also have an opportunity to participate in the original Hebrew prayers by responding with the word "Amen" after each blessing.
